Piston-ring expander



May7, 1929- J. MATQHIK PISTON RING EXPANDER Filed July 2, 1926 l 1 Il Patented May 7, 1929.

UNITED STATES PATENT JOSEPH MATEGHIK, or WEATHERLY, rnNNsYLvANIA.

rrs'roir-iiiie` EXPAND-ER.

yApplication yfiled. July 2,'

This invention relates to devices for expanding piston rings or the-like for removing them from the grooves of a piston, etc.

, An object is to provide adevice of this character which may as readily be applied in position on a piston which has been removed or partially removed from its respective cylinder, and caused to engage the interlitting ends of a piston ring that may have become cai'- boned, corroded or otherwise fouled to an extent that the same is difficult to remove, said engagement, when the device is caused Yto eX- pand, servingto forcibly separate the ends of said ring and pull the same outwardly from the groove in a manner to eventually free the entirering and permit same to be readily removed. n' l Another vobject is to provide for interchangingthe expandingmeans so that the device is applicablev for use on rings of different diameters and widths and having different kinds of'joints or intertting ends.

A full and complete understanding of the invention may be obtained from a consideration of the following detailed description,A

taken in connection withthe accompanying drawing forming a part of this specification, it being understood that while the drawing shows a practical form of the invention, the latter is not to be confined to strict conformity with the showing thereof, but may be changed or modified, so long as such changes or modifications mark no material departure from the salient features of the invention, asy specifically pointed out in the` appended claims. f

In the drawings, in whichfsimila-r reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several figures Figure l is a plan view'of tliedevice partly in section showing the device in use for eX- panding a piston ring to remove same from the groove ofa pisto v f Figure 2l is a transverse sectional view of the device, as shown in Figure l, the piston ring being indicated in dotted lines.

Figure 3 is a perspective view, a portion of the split ring being omitted.

Figure l is a detail perspective ofone of the interchangeable expanding members-used inconnection withl the device. l Y

Referring to the drawing there is shown a split ring 1 formed of suitable metal having sufiicient strength and resiliency and of a diameter to accord with the sizeof the pistonk rings to be handled,`the outer face of said 1926. serial No. 120,151.

ring being preferably rounded to avoid in- ]ury to the hands of the operator.

The inherent tendency of the ring is to normally hold each end 2 in abutting relation to each other, and flush with each of said ends is an outstanding, detachable lug 3, the inner vfaces ofcsaid lugs being normally arranged perpendicular and adapted likewise to abut against each other.

Each of the lugs 3 is preferably rectangular in cross section, and each is provided with an f integrally formed, arcuate base portion 4: which is curved toeonform to the curvature of the `split clamping ring l, and is provided with achannel or seat 5 so that one side-face of the ring is flush with one side face of' each i of the base members @thus offsetting the major portion of the lugs and base members toxone side of the said ring, and suoli offsetting is of particular importance in the use of the invention in applying the .same for the purpose of expanding a piston ring in a manner to be fully set forth; The inner, arcuate faces of the lugsB are each provided with a radially disposed socket 6 adjacent tok one edge thereof and lin line with the ring 1, while the outer end of the estensione or base portions l are each provided with an aperture 7 in line with the ysocket and, in order to permit of the easy and quick attachment of different pairs of lugs to the sln'ing; ring l, the latter' is provided adjacent to the ends thereof with outstanding pins or studs 8 which are adapted to ysnugly lit in the sockets 6 and with apertures 1`wh1ch.aline with the aforesaid apertures 7 of the lugs. The apertures lfL are countersunk on the inner side of the ring for the reyception of the bevelled head of a screw or bolt 9, which is adapted to receive a wing nut on its outer end for binding the lugs in place.

Theoffset portions of the base members i are provided along their edges with inwardlyl extending flanges 11 which thus defines a space or seat betweenthe same and the inner side of the ring l for the reception of detachable plates l2 of different kinds depending on the kind of piston ring to be removed from a piston. c n

Each plate `is curved to fit the seat and is provided between its ends with an outwardly extending screw l2a which is terminally fixed.- to the plate and is adapted toeXtend through an aperture 12bformed in the base of each lug, said screwor bolt being'threadedat its .outer end where extending through the kbase member' for the reception of a wing nut 12c for bindingthe plate in the seat and permitting of their ready removal and replacement.

The plates 12 are provided at their outer ends with. inwardly extending stop lugs or abut-ments 13, the same being located adjacent Y' nioval of piston rings andthe proper platesV have been attached in their seats, the stoplugs or abutmeuts 1? are adapted to bear against the side of tliepiston ring-1()l and hold saine up against the side-of tliemring 1, as shown inFigure el of the drawing, and the lingers 14 are introduced in between the ends of said ring withV the lips 15 engaging below the overlapped ends liof the ring and when the lugs are separated, in a manner to be explained, it will be seen that the said overlapped ends of the piston ring 16 may be forced out of their respective grooves 17 as usually formed in. the piston 18, as clearly shown in Figure 1 of the drawing. Y

To render the device generally useful on piston rings of diff rent diameters and widths and those having different kinds of interiitting end portions, it will bc seen that a larger or smaller diameter ring 1 may be substituted by merely removing` the thumb nuts 10 and valso that the plates 12 may be readily substituted for a pair having the abutments of greater or less width to engage with the side of the` piston ring and hold the same steady while being expanded for 'removal or to eX- -pand new and perfect piston rings to enable the same to he passed over the end of a piston, in an obvious manner, and it will befurthcrscen that the width and location of the lingers 11i may be different on the different plates so as to readily enter between the slightly separated ends of the piston ring, the iinger on one plate being staggered with relation te the nger of the coacting plate.

ln order to force thelu 3 away from each other, as in expanding a ring 1G to remove the same from a piston, a thumb bolt 19 is employed, said bolt having substantially onehalf of its length threaded, as at 20, and adapted to traverse a threaded opening 21 formed in one of the lugs. A smooth opening 22 is formed in the other -lug` 3, said elongated opening or slot being closed at each end and extending longitudinally of the lug or pei-pendicularly to the ring and cylinder. rlhe threaded end of the bolt is adapted to engage an abutment on the lug` having the opening 22, so that when the bolt is turned by means of wings 24, the' lugs will be forced apart and the ring expanded.

The lug having the elongated opening 22 is further provided with a transverse, open slot 27 formed therein and extending fromrsidc to Y side, the inner end of the same extending bc.- yond the inner end of said opening 22 and when the device is to be used for expanding a piston ring that may have become carbon ed or otherwise held in the groove and is difficult to remove, a small metal plate 28 is placed in said slot 27, to close the opening 22 and the bolt 19 is reversed and first threaded through the threaded opening 21, when the end of the bolt will bear against said plate 28 and, `when further turned, will. cause a separation of the lugs with a consequent forceful opening of the piston ring, after the lips 15 have been properly enga ged thcrcwi th,.as clearly shown in Figure The plate 28 is provided with a flange 29 to remove saine from the slot 27.

ln some instances where the piston ringis rigidly stuck in the piston groove on account of heavy carbon deposits or from other causes, plates 12 of sui'iicient thickness to hll the seats between the flanges 11 and the ring 1 may be inserted therein, said plates having` the lingers lil and lips or hooks 15 but without the stop lugs or abutments 13, as in such cases the latter are not necessary.

From the fopegoing it will be seen that a simple, strong'and durable device has been provided which may be employed for expanding pist-on rings and for removine' rings that have become stuck in the 'grooves of pistons, and that the device is applicable tofdii'lferent sizes and kinds of rings having different forms of joints, the device bein(r adapted to be manufactured andV sold at a low cost in the forni of a sethavingseveral compression rings 1 and a plurality of detachable plates 12 provided with appropriate abutments 13 and iingerslllto properly cooperate with the various lrin ds of piston rings in use.

What is claimed is :--J 1. A piston ring tool of the character described comprising a resilient silit ring adapted to surround a piston, opposed outstanding lugs mounted at the ends of the split ring, extensions provided with means for detachable connection with the split ring, said lugs and extension also having seats in their inner-faces, detachable plates adapted to be held in the seats and having means for engaging the ends of a piston ring within the-groove of a piston, and means for forcing the lugs ,apart to expand the piston ring and free same 'from said groove.

2. A piston ring tool of the character described comprising` a resilient split ring adapted to surround a piston, opposed outstanding Vlugs mounted at the ends of the split ring, said lugs having circumferential extensions provided with means for detachable connection with the split ring, said lugs and extension being wider than the ring and extending Vto one side thereof to form laterally offsetv portions, said oifset portions havsaid lugs' havingY circumferential ing arcuate seats formed in their inner faces, arcuate plates adapted to be detachably held in said seats and having inwardly directed iingers terminating in lips for engaging under the overlapped ends of a piston ring withint-he groove ont a piston, and a thumb bolt for i'orcing the lugs apart to expand the piston ring.

3. A piston ring tool of the character' kdescribed comprising a spring metal split ring adapted to surround a piston or a piston ring,

outstanding lugs mounted at the endsof the split ring, means for detachably connecting the lugs to the ring, one of saidlugs having a threaded aperture, the other lug being provided with a longitudinally elongated opening in alinelnent with the threaded aperture, the last-named lug also having a transverse slot extending inwardly from its outer end and beyond the inner end ot' said elongated opening, a metal plate adapted to be inserted into said transverse slottov close the said elongated opening, a reversible thumb bolt having threads at one end to engage 'the threaded aperture in one lug and to bear at its end against said metal plate in the other lug to cause a separation oit the lugs, yand means carried by the latter to engage the ends of a piston ring and expand thefsame as the lugs are separated.

4. A device of the' class described comprising a resilient, split ring having radially disposed apertures spaced lfrom the ends thereof,

outwardly extending-pins or studs mounted on the ring adjacent to the ends thereof, outwardly projecting lugs having circumferential base portions extending oppositely to each other and provided near their outer ends with apertures adapted to register with the apertures in the ring, said base portions also having sockets formed therein to receive the pins or studs, headed screws passing outwardly through the alined apertures, wing nuts threaded thereon to bind the lugs to the ring, and means for forcing the lugs away from each other. Y

5. A' device of the class described comprising a resilient split ring, outstanding, normally parallel lugs detachably connected .to the ends of the ring, said lugs having base portions provided with seats on their inner curved faces, a threaded thumb bolt travers ing one of the lugs, a plate attachable t0 the other lug to abut the end of the bolt to force the lugs apart, and means located in said seats to engagey the ends of a piston ring while seated in thegroove of a piston and to expand and pull the same out'of said groove,

said means being removable and interchange- 4 able with similar means oft different sizesv to accommodate different kinds and sizes ofpiston rings. y

v6. A device of the class described com piising a resilient split ring, outstanding,

normally parallel lugs dct-achably connected to the ends of the ring, said lugs having base portions provided with seats on their inner curved races, a threaded thumb bolt traversing one ol" the lugs, a plate attachable to the other lug to abut the end of the bolt to force the lugs apart, said baseportions each having 'a radial opening at the centers oit the seats,

tingends or a split piston ring to expand y the same', said arcuate. plates also having inwardly directed guide lugs at their outer ends to engage the sides of the piston ring, saidv arcuate plates being removable and `interchangeable lwith similar plates havingingers and guide lugs of dilerent widths to accommodate diiferent kinds and sizes lot piston rings. I

l7. A device of the class described comprising a resilient ring split at one point and having a detachable lug ateeach abutting end,

said lugs having offset base portions project ing at one side of the split ring, piston ring engaging means adapted Vto be seated in the inner laces of the offset base portions to en- `O`afre and ex )and the piston rino' when the :D C L b latter is located to one-'side o the split ring and means to force t-he lugs apart, said piston ring engaging meansbeing removable and interchangeable witli'similar means of dit- :terent sizes to accommodate different kinds and sizes o piston rings.

In testimony, that I claim the foregoingV as my own, I have hereto aiiixed my signature.

, Josnri-i MariaGiani'. 

